SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jaden Vickers threw six innings and struck out 12 batters Friday afternoon as the No. 13 Kentucky Softball team knocked off the Akron Zips by a score of 7-3 to kick off the 2024 Wings Etc. Classic hosted by USC Upstate.
Grace Lorsung blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning with two outs to give UK an early lead, and Stephanie Schoonover came in to log her second save of the season, getting a groundout to third to end the Zips threat.
Lorsung was one of three UK players to hit homers in the game, as she was joined by Ally Hutchins, who cranked her first-career longball to left center in the bottom of the fifth, followed by a solo shot from right fielder Taylor Ebbs later in the inning.
Kentucky used three pitchers in the game, with Vickers throwing 6.0 complete innings, striking out 12 batters with no walks and only allowing five hits. Freshman Sydney Langdon came on in the seventh to get two strikeouts to the first two batters she faced, and Schoonover came in with two on and two outs to record the final out on a ground ball to third, which Lorsung handled at third and tossed to Meeko Harrison at first for the final out.
With the win, UK improves to 7-2 on the season through its first nine games and will play USC Upstate, the tournament hosts, at 6:30 p.m. ET in the nightcap of opening day at the Wings Etc. Classic. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
Vickers Sparkles in 7-3 Win Over Akron to Wings Etc. Kickoff – UK Athletics​
Grace Lorsung blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning with two outs to give UK an early lead, and Stephanie Schoonover came in to log her second save of the season, getting a groundout to third to end the Zips threat.
Lorsung was one of three UK players to hit homers in the game, as she was joined by Ally Hutchins, who cranked her first-career longball to left center in the bottom of the fifth, followed by a solo shot from right fielder Taylor Ebbs later in the inning.
Kentucky used three pitchers in the game, with Vickers throwing 6.0 complete innings, striking out 12 batters with no walks and only allowing five hits. Freshman Sydney Langdon came on in the seventh to get two strikeouts to the first two batters she faced, and Schoonover came in with two on and two outs to record the final out on a ground ball to third, which Lorsung handled at third and tossed to Meeko Harrison at first for the final out.
With the win, UK improves to 7-2 on the season through its first nine games and will play USC Upstate, the tournament hosts, at 6:30 p.m. ET in the nightcap of opening day at the Wings Etc. Classic. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
Vickers Sparkles in 7-3 Win Over Akron to Wings Etc. Kickoff – UK Athletics​